Dear crazychica,

Good question! A healthy diet is an important part of having a healthy pregnancy. Women who are pregnant should talk to their health care providers about what kinds of changes they should make to their diets.

In general, women who are pregnant need about 100-300 more calories per day than they did before they got pregnant. Pregnant women should eat a balanced diet of carbohydrates, fat, protein, and fiber. It's important to avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and other drugs, as well as sugary drinks.

Most women need to take extra vitamins and minerals during pregnancy — even if they eat well. A health care provider may recommend that a woman take "prenatal vitamins" that contain calcium, folic acid, and iron. It is possible to get too much of some vitamins and minerals, so pregnant women should talk with their health care providers about the right vitamins to take.

For more information, check out Having a Healthy Baby — Diet & Nutrition.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.